Drafter
Clerk 08/19/2008
Title
AN ORDINANCE relating to taxicab and for-hire vehicle rates; and amending Ordinance 10498, Section 95, as amended, and K.C.C. 6.64.760.
Body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Ordinance 10498, Section 95, as amended, and K.C.C. 6.64.760 are each hereby amended to read as follows:
A. The rates for taxicabs licensed to operate in King County shall be established by the King County council.
B. In reviewing rates, the council may take into account, among other things, and with the objective of prescribing a just and reasonable rate, the following factors:
1. The recommendations of the director pursuant to K.C.C. 6.68.740, if any;
2. The public need for adequate taxi service at the lowest level of charges consistent with the provision, maintenance and continuation of such service;
3. The rates of other licensees operating in similar areas;
4. The effect of such rates upon transportation of passengers by other modes of transportation;
5. The licensee's need for revenue of a level which under honest, efficient and economical management is sufficient to cover the cost, including all operating expenses, depreciation accruals, rents, license fees and taxes of every kind, of providing adequate taxi service, plus an amount equal to a percentage of the cost that is reasonably necessary for the replacement of deteriorated taxicabs and a reasonable profit to the licensee; and
6. Consistency of rates with those prescribed by the city of Seattle.
C. No taxicab shall have more than one rate on its meter.
D. Except for special or contract rates as provided for in this chapter or any per trip fee established by the Port of Seattle and set forth in any operating agreement or tariff, it shall be unlawful for anyone operating a taxicab licensed by King County to charge, demand or receive any greater or lesser rate than the following:
Meter rate
1. Drop charge: For passengers for first 1/10 mile $2.50
2. Per mile: For each 1/10 mile or fraction thereof after
the first 1/10 mile $((0.20)) 0.25
3. For every one minute of waiting time: Waiting time rates are
charged when taxicab speed is less than ((fifteen)) twelve
miles per hour or when customer asks for taxicab to wait $0.50 (charged at
$0.25 per
30 seconds)
4. Extra charge for passengers over two persons, excluding
children under ((12)) twelve years of age $0.50
E. Special rates and contract rates.
1. Special rates as defined in this chapter shall be calculated as a percentage of the meter rate.
2. All special rates must be filed with the director on forms furnished by the director.
3. All special rates or contract rates shall be filed once a year at the time of application by the affiliated representative of a service company or by the vehicle licensee in the case of an independent owner.
4. Licensees may change any special rate filed no more than once a year.
5. Rates for new contracts acquired or changed during the license year shall be filed within two weeks of filing the contract and prior to implementing the contracted rate.
F. Every for-hire vehicle licensee shall, before commencing operating, file all rates and charges with the director. All rates and charges shall be conspicuously displayed inside the for-hire vehicle so as to be readily viewed by the passenger. The manner of posting will be prescribed by the director.
G. The rates specified in this section shall not apply to transportation of persons provided pursuant to a written contract that establishes a fare at a different rate for specified transportation and that has been previously filed with the director. No contract may include any provision that directly or indirectly requires exclusive use of the transportation services of the contracting taxicab vehicle.
H. It is unlawful to make any discriminatory charges to any person, or to make any rebate or in any manner reduce the charge to any person, unless the charge conforms to the discounts or surcharges contained in the filed rates.
I. It is unlawful under the Americans with Disabilities Act to charge a special service vehicle rate which is different from the taxicab rates adopted in subsection D. of this section, except in those instances where the transportation of disabled persons is pursuant to a written contract as specified in subsection G of this section.
SECTION 2. This ordinance takes effect October 1, 2008.